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High-profile speakers involved in the music industry—all William Paterson University alumni—are sharing their advice and insights on the current state of the business with the University’s students as part of the Music Management Seminar taught by Steve Leeds, head of NEO Entertainment Consultants and former vice president of talent and industry relations for Sirius XM.
Upcoming lectures will feature Christian Johnson ’04, a music catalog specialist at Netflix, on March 25; Joe Riccitelli ’85, owner, Gold’n Retriever Entertainment, on April 22; and Rob Fusari ‘08, a Grammy award winning, multi-platinum music producer, songwriter music executive, and artist, on April 29. All lectures run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Zoom.
Other guests this spring included Tom Hefter, MM ’02, lead for marketing and analytics at Ticketmaster, and BK Kirkland ’70, a renowned radio personality who hosts the BK Kirkland Experience for Rattle Radio and was program director of The Groove on Sirius XM.
According to Leeds, the seminar provides students with a perspective on the current state of the industry that can’t be replicated elsewhere. “No textbook is current enough,” he says. “We bring in people in the industry who are currently employed and involved in the everyday world of the music/entertainment business. Students are encouraged to ask questions directly to the guests or can submit questions in advance. The opportunity this presents is unique and not available elsewhere.”
The course, offered every spring, has featured executives ranging from company presidents to talent managers, marketing experts, publishing executives, independent distributors, lawyers, and artist managers, who share their knowledge with students.
William Paterson University was named one of Billboard Magazine’s 2024 “Top Music Business Schools” in the world, recognizing the University’s undergraduate program in music and entertainment industries. This marked the seventh time William Paterson has landed on the list, which includes schools throughout the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Spain. The program was noted for its overall focus on student internships, the independent artist and their team, and a new course all about the live music industry.
The University offers a bachelor of music degree with an emphasis in music and entertainment industries, open to students studying classical or jazz performance, as well as a minor in music and entertainment industries open to students from any major. In addition to the Music Management Seminar, the program is known for its highly popular Music Biz 101 & More radio show and podcast, produced by David Philp ’92, assistant professor of music, and Stephen Marcone, professor emeritus of music. It is the only free advice talk show in America that focuses on the business side of the music and entertainment worlds, with more than 300 episodes available to stream online.
Graduates of the program are represented in all areas of the music and entertainment industry, from independent recording artists to record labels, music publishing, concert promotion and venues, and with top artists such as Khalid and Tyler, the Creator.
The lectures are open to the public, but those interested in attending must register in advance. For information, contact Professor David Philp at philpd@wpunj.edu.
03/17/25
